Abstract

Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa contain three genetic elements: the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes characteristic of virtually all eukaryotic cells and a 35-kilobase circular extrachromosomal DNA. In situ hybridization techniques were used to localize the 35-kilobase DNA of Toxoplasma gondii to a discrete organelle surrounded by four membranes. Phylogenetic analysis of the tufA gene encoded by the 35-kilobase genomes of coccidians T. gondii and Eimeria tenella and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum grouped this organellar genome with cyanobacteria and plastids, showing consistent clustering with green algal plastids. Taken together, these observations indicate that the Apicomplexa acquired a plastid by secondary endosymbiosis, probably from a green alga.

Keywords

PlastidApicoplastBiologyApicomplexaEndosymbiosisGenomeExtrachromosomal DNAPlasmodium falciparumProtozoaPhylogenetic treePlasmodium (life cycle)GeneticsOrganelleGeneParasite hostingChloroplastMalaria

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Year
1997
Type
article
Volume
275
Issue
5305
Pages
1485-1489
Citations
756
Access
Closed

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Sabine Köhler, Charles F. Delwiche, Paul W. Denny et al. (1997). A Plastid of Probable Green Algal Origin in Apicomplexan Parasites. Science , 275 (5305) , 1485-1489. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.275.5305.1485

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DOI
10.1126/science.275.5305.1485